Wandi C’s rapid acting growth
VALIDATION: ISIBAYA AFFIRMED HER LOVE FOR ACTING
But being an actress wasn’t the plan when she moved from KwaZulu-Natal to Joburg.
Moving recently to Johannesburg from KwaZulu-Natal, Wandi Chamane progressed up the entertainment ladder in a short time.
The Isibaya actress says being a radio personality, and having acting as the furthest thing from her mind, obtaining a role in the popular Mzansi Magic telenovela Isibaya as journalist Nqobile (Mpiyake Zungu’s latest love interest) was a dream she didn’t see coming, but appreciates wholeheartedly. “I didn’t really decide that I was going to be an actress. I was doing pretty well for myself in Durban.”
The passionate entertainer from Durban North started out in the industry as a model and presenter. Her unveiling in the industry was on radio, as a DJ on community radio station Vibe FM, and then she moved onto hosting a show on Gagasi FM.
“My recent move from Durban was motivated by the fact that I felt that I had reached the ceiling there, but one thing for sure, I didn’t come to Joburg looking for an acting job,” she said.
But the 25-year-old indicated that while she will always love modelling and presenting, acting has also become one of the crafts she loves. “Being an actress now, I would say this is what I love the most. Being part of Isibaya has affirmed my love for acting.”
She says she now wants to be recognised as “Wandi C, the actress.” With no formal qualification for acting, Chamane says she believes her talent is innate but fthat it is something she tries to work on daily with the help of her fellow actors.
“I’m totally inspired by young women in the acting industry; women with more acting experience than me and who have gone through what I’m going through right now.”
The Isibaya cast has been amazingly patient with her.
“When I started, it was very intimidating. Isibaya is a massive platform with veteran actors who know what they are doing, and I was expected to be just as good, if not better, but they welcomed me and made me feel comfortable,” she said.
Chamane who says it was a bit of a challenge “getting into the zone” and portraying the character the way she felt it deserved, points out that she has so far learned that “acting is a
craft that people take very seriously”.
“It’s not just about cramming lines or the frilly stuff. You need to be present on set; give it your all.”
She says Isibaya has been a massive learning curve for her, hence for now she remains solely focused on it. “The telenovela has taught me to respect acting as a craft and be proud of my learning process.”
The actress says she doesn’t want to box herself, but rather open herself up to learning as much as possible about this industry that she was suddenly developed an immense love for.
“Give me a script, turn the camera on and let’s do it,” she says with laughter, explaining that one thing she won’t do is a musical because of her dreadful singing voice.
“My ideal dream is to play in an international movie or star in a blockbuster,” she says.